Connector assemblies

Abstract

Connectors assemblies. The connector assembly can include a stinger and a sleeve assembly that includes a latching mechanism. An outer surface of the stinger can define first and second grooves located toward first and second ends, respectively, thereof. An inner surface of the sleeve assembly can define first and second shoulders located toward first and second ends, respectively, thereof. The latching mechanism can be in an unlocked position or a locked position. When the latching mechanism is unlocked the stinger can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve assembly. When the stinger is within the sleeve assembly and the latching mechanism is locked, the latching mechanism can maintain a first split ring partially within the first groove and partially on the first shoulder and a second split ring partially within the second groove and partially on the second shoulder to secure the stinger within the sleeve assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connector assembly, comprising:
 a stinger comprising a first end and a second end, wherein an outer surface of the stinger defines a groove located between the first and second ends thereof; and   a sleeve assembly comprising a first end, a second end, and a latching mechanism, wherein the sleeve assembly is configured to receive the stinger and secure the stinger therein via the latching mechanism, wherein:
 an inner surface of the sleeve assembly defines a shoulder located between the first and second ends thereof, 
   the latching mechanism is selectively moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position,   when the latching mechanism is in the unlocked position, the stinger can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve assembly; and   when the stinger is fully positioned within the sleeve assembly and the latching mechanism is in the locked position, the latching mechanism is configured to maintain a split ring in a position partially within the groove defined by the outer surface of the stinger and partially on the shoulder defined by the inner surface of the sleeve assembly to secure the stinger within the sleeve assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stinger further comprises an alignment key disposed on the outer surface of the stinger and the sleeve assembly further comprises an inner guide comprising at least one guide surface configured to engage the alignment key during insertion of the stinger to rotatively align the stinger within the sleeve assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latching mechanism is configured to move between the locked position and the unlocked position by operating one or more hydraulic actuators, one or more one pneumatic actuators, one or more electric actuators, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the latching mechanism comprises an actuator ring, and   when the stinger is fully positioned within the sleeve assembly and the latching mechanism is in the locked position, the actuator ring is configured to maintain the split ring in the position partially within the groove defined by the outer surface of the stinger and partially on the shoulder defined by the inner surface of the sleeve assembly.   
     
     
         5 . The connector assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the sleeve assembly comprises a stationary inner wall disposed between the shoulder defined by the inner surface of the sleeve assembly and the first end of the sleeve assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The connector assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the actuator ring is configured to maintain the split ring in the position partially within the groove defined by the stinger and partially on the shoulder defined by the sleeve assembly by moving between the stationary inner wall and the split ring. 
     
     
         7 . The connector assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the sleeve assembly comprises an auxiliary locking apparatus configured to secure the actuator ring in the locked position. 
     
     
         8 . The connector assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the auxiliary locking apparatus comprises a mechanical fastener, a mechanical latch, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stinger comprises a padeye, a clevis, or a trunnion disposed on the first end of the stinger. 
     
     
         10 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stinger comprises a clevis disposed on the second end of the stinger. 
     
     
         11 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stinger comprises a padeye, a clevis, or a trunnion disposed on the first end of the stinger, and   the stinger comprises a clevis disposed on the second end of the stinger.   
     
     
         12 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the stinger has a frustoconical surface. 
     
     
         13 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stinger comprises a shock absorber arrangement disposed therein. 
     
     
         14 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the split ring has a six sided polygonal cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         15 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the split ring has at least one set of opposing parallel sides. 
     
     
         16 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the latching mechanism comprises an actuator ring,   the sleeve assembly comprises a stationary inner wall disposed between the shoulder defined by the inner surface of the sleeve assembly and the first end of the sleeve assembly,   the actuator ring is configured to maintain the split ring in the position partially within the groove defined by the stinger and partially on the shoulder defined by the sleeve assembly by moving between the stationary inner wall and the split ring, and   the split ring has at least one set of opposing parallel sides.   
     
     
         17 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stinger comprises a padeye, a clevis, or a trunnion disposed on the first end of the stinger, and   the first end of the stinger has a frustoconical surface.   
     
     
         18 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stinger comprises a padeye, a clevis, or a trunnion disposed on the first end of the stinger, and   the stinger comprises a shock absorber arrangement disposed therein.   
     
     
         19 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stinger comprises a padeye, a clevis, or a trunnion disposed on the first end of the stinger,   the stinger comprises a clevis disposed on the second end of the stinger,   the latching mechanism comprises an actuator ring,   the sleeve assembly comprises a stationary inner wall disposed between the shoulder defined by the inner surface of the sleeve assembly and the first end of the sleeve assembly,   the actuator ring is configured to maintain the split ring in the position partially within the groove defined by the stinger and partially on the shoulder defined by the sleeve assembly by moving between the stationary inner wall and the split ring, and   the split ring has at least one set of opposing parallel sides.   
     
     
         20 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stinger comprises a padeye, a clevis, or a trunnion disposed on the first end of the stinger,   the stinger comprises a clevis disposed on the second end of the stinger,   the latching mechanism comprises an actuator ring,   the sleeve assembly comprises a stationary inner wall disposed between the shoulder defined by the inner surface of the sleeve assembly and the first end of the sleeve assembly,   the actuator ring is configured to maintain the split ring in the position partially within the groove defined by the stinger and partially on the shoulder defined by the sleeve assembly by moving between the stationary inner wall and the split ring,   the split ring has at least one set of opposing parallel sides, and   the stinger comprises a shock absorber arrangement disposed therein.